A Perfectly Imperfect Change

Chapter 35
A perfectly imperfect change
Elena's POV

"Ashley, I need some new clothes. Do you think I can find something at your store?" I asked her and she laughed.

"You are the Luna, you shouldn't be wearing clothes from my type of designer. You can afford anyone you want." She said with a chuckle.

"Yes. I can afford you, and I want you. What's the big deal? I've seen your designs, they are really unique and modest. It's more my style." I explained and she looked at me, almost unsure I was serious about what I was saying.

"You are not playing with me are you?" She asked and I wondered why she didn't believe I wanted her to be my stylist.

"I'm not. Why is it such a big deal to you?" I asked.

"Because you are not just asking me to be your stylist, you are offering me the title of Royal stylist which is the highest possible status a stylist can attain over here. It's like taking me from one to a million." She squealed in delight and threw her hands around me, hugging me so tightly that I feared that I wouldn't be able to breathe.

"You know, if you kill me. You won't be getting the job." I managed to say and she let go of her death grip.

"I'm just so happy. Sorry, Luna." She apologized and we both laughed.

"To be honest, I didn't think it was such a big deal. Moreover, I don't think your work is short of the standard if there is any. I have always admired it anytime I come around." I said and she teared up dramatically.

A knock sounded on the door and Matthew walked in after I told him he could come in.

"Luna" he courtesied and then gave a nod to Ashley.

"Hello, Matthew. What brings you here? Where is Wesley?" I asked him.

"The Alpha asked me to bring you to the south side. There are some families whose children have been taken over the past couple of weeks. He thought it was wise to have you..."

"Let's go, please. Can I come with Ashley?" I asked, interrupting what he was explaining because he didn't have to. I would go with him anywhere as long as Wesley is there.

"Yes, Luna." He replied and I immediately picked up my coat.

Ashley and I were going out of the house when I saw Aliyah approaching the palace. This was the first time that I had seen her after a long time. She had neither honored my call nor even made moves to show that she cared in any way.

"Sister." She called excitedly and hurried towards us. Ashley did not like her so I quickly spoke to her not to interfere in my relationship with my sister. Aliyah was still smarting from their last encounter.

"Aliyah. Welcome, I was not expecting you. I am currently in a hurry. You can wait for me at the palace." I said to her while giving her a brief hug.

"Oh, where are you going to? I could come with you." She said and gave Ashely a stink eye.

"Won't that be too much of a bother? It's just an official Luna business." I explained since I knew she might find it boring.

"I'll come. Let me see what life is like being a Luna." She said and I nodded my head.

I heard Ashley murmur something under her breath and I dug a hand into her ribs. She let out a yelp and I glared at her, she already had a bad relationship with my sister, there was no need to make it any worse.

"Let's go, Matthew," I ordered and he eased out of the palace into the express.

He was driving us in a limo marked LUNA, everyone knew it was me and most of them came out of their houses to wave at me.

"Is it safe for me to wave back?" I asked Matthew and he nodded in response.

I poked my head out through the sunroof and waved at them, suddenly I was pulled down and I realized that Aliyah had pulled me down. My shirt was also ripped badly at the side seams.

"Oops! I'm so sorry. I was trying to get some Champagne and nearly fell. You wouldn't think I did this on purpose, do you?" Aliyah apologized quickly.

"The champagne is right behind you. You stood up and made a dive for her. She could have been hurt badly but I guess that is not a concern of yours, as long as you are safe." Ashley snapped at her as she immediately pulled the kimono jacket she was wearing.

Aliyah sat there looking at me with a weird look on her face without even offering to fix my dress.

"We need to do something about your dress. Have this kimono, put it on. I will find a way to fix it into something good before we get there. Matthew, how long before we get to the Alpha?" She asked.

"Twenty minutes." He answered curtly.

"That is more than enough then," she said and immediately got to work. I closed my eyes, already dreading what would happen if I ruined my first interaction with the people.

"Open your eyes. I'm not killing you." Ashley teased.

I opened my eyes slowly and was shocked at what I saw on Ashley's video camera. There was no mirror I could use but I knew I looked dazzling. She had taken the kimono from a simple jacket to something that looked straight out of a designer's shop.

"This is gorgeous. I didn't make a mistake in choosing my stylist. Thank you, Ashley." I said, thanking her profusely while she beamed with smiles.

"I think it could have been done better. There's something off about it. I wouldn't wear it if it was me." Aliyah's voice interrupted our joy.

"That is why you are not the one wearing it." Ashley fired back.